Dimming rheostat



Patented Apr. 2t), 1526.

was

HOVTABD W. HULSCHEB, 0F BATTLE CREEK, I/EIGHIGAN, ASSIGN'OR T0 HULSGI-IER, MOTOR COMPANY, 01* BATTLE GREEK, MICHIGAN.

DIME/HEIG- BI'ZEOSTAT.

Application filed. April 23, 1925.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I-Iownnn WV. HULscrrnu, a citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, county of Calhoun, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dimming Rheostats, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dimming rheostats.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved dimming rheostat for the headlights of motor vehicles whereby the same may be effectively controlled and one which is simple, durable and compact in structure.

Objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description. to to].- low.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the steering wheel of an automobile with my improved dimming rheostat mounted in operative position thereon.

Fig. II is a vertical section on a line corresponding to line 22 of Figs. I, III and IV, parts being shown in full lines for convenience in illustration.

Fi III is a view partially in section on a line corresponding to line -3-3 of Fig. II.

Fig. IV is a plan view of the body portion of the casing showing the position of the resistance coils and circuit contacts therein, the insulating and supporting body for the coils being omitted.

Fig. V is an inside view of one of the re sistance coils.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in. the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the steering wheel of a motor vehicle upon which my dimming rheostat is preferably mounted in Qractice. v l

at. ini' raved L iv Serial No. 25,297-

a casing consisting o1 a cup-like body member 2 and a cover member 3 having a. downturned flange 4E at its edge embracing the body member and rotatable thereon, the cover member being provided with a finger piece 5.

The cover member is rotatably retained by means of the rivet or post 6 which also constitutes means for securing the mounting clip 7 in position.

A pair of resistance coils 8 are oppositely disposed within the body, these coils being mounted on the segmental cores 9, the cores being of insulating material. These coils are supported and insulated by imbedding in the insulating material 10 which is molded within the casing and upon the coils, leaving the upper edges exposed.

A spring brush 11 is mounted on the cover member 3 of the casing, being insulated therefrom by the insulating disc 12.

The circuit contacts 13 are mounted on the coil cores at opposite ends thereof, the circuit wires being indicated at 14 one of which is connected to the battery, the other being connected to the lamp or controlled circuit, portions of these wires being also embedded in the insulating body 10. The circuit contacts are so positioned that when swung to one position the brush contacts or coacts with both of the circuit contacts and when swung from that position in one direction the lights are cut off entirely and in the op posite direction the dimming resistance is gradually increased.

To insure a good contact and also to serve as a detent, the brush has boss-like projections 15 formed therein, these projections being struck up from the body of the brush.

My improved dimming rheostat is very simple and compact in structure and is not likely to get out of repair or order in use. The parts are so arranged that they may be of comparatively heavy material and the structure still is of small dimensions. It is well adapted for the mounting upon the steering wheel of an automobile and owing to the brush engaging the coils on opposite sides of its pivot, the parts are well balanced so that the movable parts are not likely to be shifted by vibration or the like.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim asses and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is:

in a dimming the combination of a casing comprising a cup-like body member provided with an attaching clip at the bottom thereof and a flanged cover member rotatable on said body member and provided with a finger piece, a rivetdisposed through the bottom of said casing member and said casing cover member and constituting means for securing said attaching clip to said casing, said cover member being rotatable on said rivet, a pair of segmental resistance coils disposed in opposed relation Within said casing, a coil supporting vand insulatingbody molded Within said casing to embed said coils With their upperedges exposed, said coils having circuit contacts at opposed ends thereof, and a spring-mush mounted upon said cover member to coact with said coils and circuit contacts, said rotatable on: said body member and provided with a finger piece, a pairot segmental re sistance coils disposed in opposed relation Within said casing, a. 001i supporting andinsulating body within said casing to embed said coils Wlth their upper edges exposed,

said coils having circuit contacts at opposed ends thereof, and a brushmountednpon said cover member to coact with said coilsand circuit contacts, said brush being insulated from; said cover.

3. In a dimming rheostat; the combination of a casing comprising cup-like body member provided with an attaching clip at the bottom thereof and a flanged cover member rotatable on said body member and provided with finger piece, a rivet disposed through 1 the bottom of said casing member and said casing cover member and constituting means for securing said attaching clip to said casfrom said cover.

t. In a din'nning rheostat, the combination of a casing comprising a cup-like body member provided Withan attaching clip at the bottom thereof and a flanged cover member rotatableon said bodymember and provided with a finger piece, a pair of segmental re sistance coils disposed in opposed relation Within said casing, a coil supporting and in sulating body Within said casing, said coils having circuit contacts at opposed ends there of, and a brush mounted upon said cover member to coact With said coils and circuit contacts, said brush being insulated from said cover.

"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HOWARD W. HULSCHER. 

